Raised in rural Virginia during the time of Jim Crow, Norvel Lee went on to become an Olympic champion, Tuskegee Airman and prominent educator and youth mentor.  While those achievements were spectacular they are not all he accomplished during his remarkable life. 

"The author displays a deep understanding of his lead character's biography, and provides convincing exploration of his life circumstances, from his segregated childhood to his WWII service; his development as an athlete; and his civil disobedience in the face of Jim Crow laws." The BookLife Prize

"This is a must-read for anyone who wants to know the stories that weren't told during the Jim Crow era." - Dwayne Yancey, Cardinal Press Executive Editor

"NORVEL tells the remarkable story of Norvel Lee who challenged Jim Crow and earned gold in the Olympics. . . that is detailed in Ken Conklin's novel that combines solid prose with meticulous research." Nelson Harris, former mayor of Roanoke, Virginia

"Conklin has written a compelling tale about an honest Black man who fought gracefully amid chronically dishonest institutions and times." David S. Mitchell, author of We Hold These Truths

"It is truly astounding to believe that everything captured in this novel is authentically about one great man, a man who should've been more well known before this masterpiece and deserves nothing but acclaim and recognition." Victoria Whitehead, VineVoice

On 8/24 The Botetourt County Board of Supervisors approved a Resolution regarding Norvel Lee stating "that Botetourt County will work with the Virginia Department of Historic Resources and the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) to construct and erect the monument to pay tribute to the legacy of this great native of Botetourt County."

Donations supporting  the manufacture of the marker can be mailed to (make sure to earmark them for the Norvel Lee Historical Marker):

Botetourt County Historical Society

P.O. Box 468

Fincastle, Virginia 24090